Would you

Would you love if love were suddenly forbidden,
as crime against the reasonable mind?
Would you love, if all the needed hints were hidden
and truth were though impossible to find?
Would you share the last remaining shard of kindness
which meant to be your only saving sail?
Would you learn that the impediment’s your blindness,
and finally give up your masking veil?

Would you stop when angry mobs would call for killing
and face yourself, when hearing their cries?
Oh, would you love if love were nothing more than feeling,
still love, though knowing hatred never dies?

(2005)